Winter
Renting a car through a Toronto winter
Five months of the year, the tires on your rental matter more than the car. Ours can be fitted with the right ones for the months you need them.
Ask every rental company this one question
"Does this car have winter tires, or all-seasons?" You are entitled to a straight answer and you will not always get one. In Ontario winter tires are not mandatory outside Quebec, so plenty of rental fleets run all-seasons year-round and rely on nobody asking.
Ours is a straight answer: our fleet runs all-season tires as standard, and proper winter tires are an option you add at booking, from November through April, at $14.99 a day. There is a box to tick, and we would rather show you the cost than bury it in the rate.
Why it is not just about snow
Below roughly seven degrees, the compound in an all-season tire stiffens and grip drops — on cold dry pavement as well as ice. Toronto is below that line for about five months. The difference shows up in braking distance, which is precisely where you want it.
You will also get a small insurance benefit in Ontario for winter tires on your own vehicle, which tells you what insurers think of the risk difference.
If you have never driven in snow
- Everything gently. Steering, braking and acceleration. Abrupt inputs break traction.
- Leave far more room. Stopping distance can double or worse.
- Clear the whole car. Roof included — it is required in Ontario and the snow slides down your windscreen at the first firm stop.
- Bridges and ramps freeze first. So do shaded stretches.
- If you skid, look where you want to go. Ease off, do not stamp on the brake.
- Fuel above a quarter tank. If you get stuck, the engine is your heat.
What we put in every winter rental
- Proper winter tires, November through April, at $14.99 a day
- Cold-rated washer fluid, topped up — the summer stuff freezes on the glass
- A brush and scraper
- Battery checks through the cold months, which is when they fail
- Roadside assistance, included
Snow days and your rental
If a storm closes the roads, do not risk the drive to return a car. Call 416-661-6166 and we will sort the extension. We would rather move a booking than have someone on the 400 in a whiteout to avoid a late fee.
Common questions
Do rental cars in Toronto come with winter tires?
Not automatically. Winter tires are not legally required in Ontario, so many fleets run all-seasons year-round and do not offer an alternative. At Kaizen you can add proper winter tires to any rental from November through April for $14.99 a day.
Is it safe to drive in Toronto in winter as a visitor?
Yes, with proper tires and a slower approach. Leave more distance than feels necessary, avoid sudden inputs, and clear the whole car including the roof before setting off.
What if a snowstorm means I cannot return the car on time?
Call us. We will extend the rental rather than have you drive in dangerous conditions to avoid a late charge.